Ironman changes

The St. George area received good news Thursday. The Ironman triathlon announced that it would for certain be back in St. George in 2013. However, the return will be different.

The Ironman St. George will go from being a full-blown Ironman and what is widely considered to be the most difficult course on the circuit to a half-Ironman, known as an Ironman 70.3 race. Each distance is cut in half, meaning the swim will be 1.2 miles, the bike ride will be 56 miles and the run will be 13.1 miles.

While still boasting distances that test the endurance of top-notch athletes, organizers believe the reduced lengths will make the race more attractive to more participants. That's important both for race organizers and hotel owners, restaurant operators and retailers in the area because the course's reputation has spread. Shorter distances may entice more participants to take part and will cut down on the training time needed to prepare for a race so early in the triathlon season.

The statistics back up the anecdotal evidence. The St. George event has a 15 percent did-not-finish rate, higher than the Louisville event, which is considered to be the second most-difficult course and nearly three times as high as the world championship in Kona, Hawaii.

It is believed the changes will boost participation from fewer than 2,000 athletes to more than 3,000. That kind of growth is good for the event and translates into more people in local hotel rooms and helping the local economy.

Perhaps the best part of the announcement Thursday was the apparent commitment the World Triathlon Corp. - which runs the Ironman - has to St. George. If it intended to leave after its contract, it wouldn't take this step to solidify participation in the event.

Now, it's important that the community support the Ironman in 2012 to uphold its end of the bargain. On Saturday, a full Ironman will take place. Go root on the athletes. Show them what a special place Southern Utah is for these kinds of events.

Help make them feel welcome so they will want to return.

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Ironman changes

The St. George area received good news Thursday. The Ironman triathlon announced that it would for certain be back in St. George in 2013. However, the return will be different.The Ironman St. George